Speech #980268103

U.S. military aid in sufficient quantities reinforces the Pakistani view that they have sufficient military might to deter an attack by conventional Indian forces. and U.S. economic and development aid provided the Pakistani economy a helpful boost on the road to economic development. and offers the Pakistanis a positive outlet by which to gain international stature. In addition to the question of how best to persuade Pakistan to forgo the development of a nuclear device. there is the question of the impact that an aid cutoff would have on other U.S. priorities involving Pakistan. In addition to proliferation the United States is concerned about Pakistani efforts to curtail illegal drug production from some of its remote provinces. security concerns resulting from the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. and the humanitarian support offered by the Pakistani Government to over 3 million Afghan refugees. Each of these is an important issue to the United States. and the drug trafficking concern has a direct Impact on Americans. as our schools. homes. families. and workplaces are affected by the crime. violence. and disintegration brought on by illegal drugs of which heroin from Pakistan Is an important part. I visited Pakistan about 9 months ago in December 1983. and In addition to meeting government officials in Islamabad. visited some of the prime opium cultivation sites along the northwest frontier.